Laminated and reclosable carton



2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 13, 1966 w. R. sAlDEl.

LAMINATED AND RECLOSABLE CARTON Filed June l2, 1965 Dec. 13, 1966 w. R. sAlDEL 3,291,372

LAMINATED AND RECLOSABLE CARTON Filed June l2. 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m i? 142W( M @s 'Y N United States Patent O 3,291,372 LAMENATED AND RECLSAILE CARTON Wiliiatn lf2.. Saidel, Park Forest, Ill., assignor to Integral Packaging Corporation, Chicago Heights, lll., a corporation of Iliinois Filed lune 12, 1963. Ser. No. 287,343 Claims. (C1. 229-51) The present invention relates to a novel carton structure, and more specifically, to a novel carton adapted to 'be formed from paperboard or other suitable sheet material.

While `cartons incorporating features of the present invention may be adapted for packaging a variety of products, one use for which the cartons are especially suitable is the packaging of icecream or other products which may be only partially dispensed or removed from the carton at one time. Heretofore suggested icecream cartons, particularly those of a half-gallon size or langer, have certain disadvantages. For example, the paperboard or sheet material blank must necessarily be relatively thick so that such heretofore proposed cartons have been relatively expensive. Furthermore, it is usually difficult to remove the contents such as icecream from the lower portions of heretofore suggested icecream cartons, particularly of the halfgallon size, since the depth of the carton makes it nec-essary for a perso-n using a spoon to extend his hand at least partially into the carton. In short, the dispensing of icecream from previously suggested cartons frequently becomes a messy job.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel carton constructed in a ma-nner which facilitates removal of a portion of a product such as icecream packaged therein and subsequent reclosing of the carton.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel carton which may 'be readily opened and reclosed and which is constructed so that a portion of the carton may be removed for facilitating the dispensing of a product from the carton while still enabling the carton to be reclosed.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provi-de a novel carton structure of the above-described type which requires a reduced anion-nt of paperboard or other sheet material stock.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel carton structure of the above--described type which may be lfilled and closed with presently available machinery.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein;

FIG. l is a perspective view showing a completed carton structure incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken along line 2-2 in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective View showing how top and intermediate portion of a finished container may be removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing how a removable top of the container may be recl-osed on a lower portion of the container after an intenmediate container section has been removed;

FIG. 6 is a plan View looking at the outside surface of a blank structure for a carton incorporating features of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded `perspective view of the blank structure looking toward the inside surface of the blank structure.

ICC

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a carton 10 incorporating features of the present invention is shown in FIGS. l-5 and is adapted to be formed from a blank structure 12 which is shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7. The blank structure 12 comprises separate blank members 14, 16 and 18 which are constructed and assembled in the manner described in detail hereinbelow` The blank members 14, 16 and 18 are formed from paperboard, cardboard, fiberboard, plastic or other suitable sheet material. The outer blank member 14 includes side panels 18, 2t), 22 and 24 respectively articulated to each other along bend lines 26, 28 and 38 which bend lines as well as those mentioned below, which may be scored or otherwise defined. A short side flap 32 is articulated to an edge of the side panel 24 along a marginal bend line 34, which iiap is adapted to be positioned in overlapping relationship with and secured to a free mangin of the side panel 18 when the blank structure is assembled.

The -blank member 14 also includes opposite end structures 36 and 38 adapted to be folded to provide opposite ends to the cartons. The end structure 36 includes aps 40, 42, 44 and 46 which `are articulated to first ends of the side panels of 18, 29, 22 and 24 respectively along bend lines 48, 5t), 52 and 54. The opposite end structure 38 comprises similar end aps 56, 58, 60 and 62 respectively articulated to ends of the side panels 18, 28, 22 and 24 along bend lines 64, 66, 68 and 7G. In the embodiment shown, the flaps 4-0 and 42 and the corresponding opposite end aps 56 and 58 have a size and shape such that they will substantially traverse the ends of the carton and cooperate with the shorter aps 44, 46, d() and 62 for insuring at least a double thickness of the blank material entirely across the finally .assembled end structures 36 and 38.

The yblank members 16 and 18 which are shown best in FIG. 7 are completely separated from each other along line 72. These blank members which are laminated against the inner surfaces of the side panel of the blank member 14 include inner side panels 74 and 76 having a combined size and shape substantially corresponding t-o the size and :shape of the outer side panel 18. The blank members 16 and 18 include additional pairs of inner side panels 7 8-80, 82-84, and 86-88, which pairs of panels respectively correspond substantially in size and shape to the outer side panels 20, 22 and 24. The inner side panels 78 and 8i) are integrally joined to the panels 74 a-n-d 76 along bend lines 98 and 92 and to the panels 82 and 84 along bend lines 94 and 96. The panels 82 and 84 are also articulated to the panels 86 and 88 along bend lines 98 and 101i. The blank members 16 and 18 include marginal flaps 182 and 184 similar to the flap 32 of the blank member 14 a-nd respectively articulated along bend lines 106 and 108 to the inner side panels 86 an-d 88.

As indicated above, the blank members 16 and 18 are positioned against the inner surfaces of and laminated with the side panels of the blank memberv14. Thus while the inner side panels provided by the blank members 16 and 1S correspond substantially in size and shape to the outer side panels, the inner side panels are slightly and sufficiently smaller than the outer side panels to enable the outer blank member 14 to be folded around the inner blank members when the carton is assembled.

In accordance with features of the present invention, the blank member 14 is provided with a tear strip 110 defined by partially cut or perforated or otherwise formed lines 112 and 116 at a location adjacent to but spaced from the end aps of the end structure 36 of the carton which end structure will, for the sake of convenience, be referred to as the top or upper end of the carton.

The blank member 14 inclu-des another tear strip 118 dened by suitably perforated or otherwise formed lines 120 and 122. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the tear strip 118 is disposed below the line 72 which separates the inner blank members 16 and 18.

The inner blank members are secured to the inner surface of the outer blank member 14. In order to accomplish this, strips 124 and 126 of adhesive material are positioned as shown in FIG. 7 so as to traverse the side panels f the outer blank member 14. While the strips of adhesive material are shown on the outer blank member, it is to be understood that the adhesive material could be applied to the inner blank members or to both the inner and the outer blank members, if desired. In any event the strips 124 and 126 of the adhesive material are located below the tear strips 110 and 118 respectively. In addition, a lower edge of the strip 124 of adhesive material is spaced substantially above the tear strip 118 and is located adjacent to and slightly above the line 72 separating the inner blank members 16 and 18. In other words, upper end portions 128, 130, 132 and 134 of the outer side panels are free of adhesive Imaterial and may be removed with and form a part of the top structure 36 when the carton is opened. In addition intermediate portions 136, 138, 140 and 142 of the outer side panels are ifree of adhesive material for facilitating separation of parts of the container body in the manner described below.

When the inner and outer blank members are laminated together as shown in FIG. 6, the marginal flap 32 overlies the corresponding marginal flaps 102 and 104. However, it is to be noted that these flaps are not adhesively secured together. It may also be observed that the tear strips 110 and 118 are formed with free ends or tabs 144 and 146 projecting beyond the free margin of the side panel 18 to facilitate the gripping thereof when the carton is opened. The material for the tabs 144 and 146 may be taken from a successive blank being formed from the same sheet of stock material whereby notches 148 and 150 are provided in the marginal flap 32 of the adjacent blank.

When assem-bling the carton structure from the laminated blank structure 12, the blank is first folded along the bend lines joining the side panels and the marginal flap 32 is overlapped with and secured against the outer side panel 18 and the inner marginal flaps 102 and 104 are overlapped with and secured against the inner side panels 74 and 76. It is important to note that, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner marginal flaps 102 and 104 are folded so that they extend along the inner surfaces of the inner side panels 74 and 76 while the ap 32 is folded so that it extends over the inner blanks and, more specifically, over the outer surface of the outer side panel 18. This arrangement permits separation 0f portions of the carton structure in the manner described below.

The flap 32 may be adhesively or otherwise secured to the outer side panel 18. The inner flaps 102 and 104 may also be adhesively or otherwise secured to their associated inner side panel. However, in order to prevent the flap 32 from sticking to the flaps 102 and 104 prior to assembly of the blank structure into the carton, no active adhesive material is applied to the aps at least until during the assembly process.

After the side panels have been folded and assembled in the desired position the flaps of the opposite end structures 36 and 38 of the carton are folded and adhesively or otherwise secured in the positions shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. In the embodiment shown, the end flaps 40 and 56 have a size and shape for substantially completely traversing ends of the carton and these aps are folded inwardly first for providing substantially continuous inner walls for the opposite end structures. The flaps 44 and 60 are then folded over the flaps 40 and 56 respectively. Then the aps 42 and 46 of the end structure 36 are folded into overlapping relationship and are adhesively or otherwise secured in position the aps 58 and 62 of the end structure 38 are folded into overlapping relationship and are adhesively or otherwise secured. While the folding of the end aps of the top and bottom end structures 36 and 38 respectively have just been described simultaneously it is to be understood that one usual procedure is to rst fold and close the bottom end structure whereupon a carton is lled with icecream or other goods to be packaged. After filling of the carton the top end structure 36 is, of course, folded and closed.

When the carton is fully assembled as shown in FIGS. l through 5, the side panels of the carton are formed of a double thickness of the stock material provided by the blank members 14, 16, and 18. The thickness of these individual blank members may be about one-half of the thickness of conventional carton blanks heretofore proposed whereby the overall thickness of the side panels will remain about the same. However, substantial economies in the weight of stock material are accomplished since the inner blank members do not have any end flaps traversing the ends of the cartons. In other words, the individual flaps of the opposite end structures 36 and 38 are provided only by the blank member 14 which is relatively thin as compared with conventional carton blanks. However, the end flaps of the end structures 36 and 38 extend into overlapping relationship as described in detail above so that all portions of the end structure include at least a double thickness of the blank material.

In order to open the carton 10, the tab 144 of the tear strip is pulled and the tear strip is removed. Since the end structure 36 is provided only by elements of the outer blank 14 and is in no way secured to the inner blank members, the end structure may be easily lifted from the remainder of the carton as shown in FIG. 4. At the same time, however, the upper marginal portions of the side panels of the inner blank member 16 are not torn in any way so that the carton remains fully closed around its sides. Furthermore, the separated top structure 36 may be readily applied over the exposed upper margins of the inner blank member 16 for reclosing the carton after a portion of the contents of the carton has been dispensed. The aforementioned complete removal of the top structure 36 facilitates dispensing of the icecream or other contents from the carton since there are no interfering flaps or the like to obstruct access to the interior of the carton.

After substantial portions of the carton contents have been dispensed, the empty upper portion of the carton may be easily removed by pulling the tab 146 of the tear strip 118 and removing the tear strip. This enables the upper portion of the carton to be separated from the lower portion as shown in FIG. 4. As previously indicated, the tear strip 118 is located substantially below the line 72 defining the upper edge of the inner blank member 18 so that when the tear strip 118 is removed, upper marginal portions of the blank member 18 are exposed as shown in FIG. 4. This enables the top end structure 36 to be applied over the upper margin of the inner blank member 18 for reclosing the lower portion of the container as shown in FIG. 5.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example the present disclosure shows two inner blank members and two tear strips so that the container body may be divided into two portions in addition to the top member, but it is to be understood that the construction may be modified, if desired for enabling the carton to be divided into three or more sections.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A carton comprising a first outer blank including a plurality of integral articulated outer side panels, a marginal flap integrally joined with a side edge of one of said side panels and overlapping and being secured to an outer surface of an adjacent side marginal portion of an adjacent side panel, end ilaps integrally articulated to end edges of and respectively extending from each of said outer side panels and providing an end structure, an inner blank completely separate from said outer blank and including integral articulated side panels disposed along inner surfaces of said outer side panels, said inner blank including a marginal Hap integrally joined with one side edge of one of said inner side panels and being disposed in overlapping relationship with :an inner surface of an adjacent inner side panel, and means extending around said outer side panels adjacent to ibut spaced substantially from said end edges and said end aps for separating end portions of said outer side panels from the remainder of said outer side panels, said inner blank including an end portion extending within said outer panel end portions, said outer side panel end portions and said end flaps providing a removable and replaceable end closure for said carton, said marginal flap of said outer blank including sa portion secured to said adjacent side panel between said end edges and said means extending around the outer side panels for separating end portions therefrom.

2. A carton comprising a first outer blank including outer side panels and end flap means providing an end structure, an inner blank completely separate from said outer blank and including side panels disposed along inner surfaces of said outer side panels, tear strip means extending around said outer blank and operable for separating end portions of said outer side panels adjacent said end flap means from the remainder of said outer side panels, said outer side panel end portions and said end ap means providing a removable and replaceable end closure for said carton, and adhesive means between said outer and inner side panels at a side of said tear strip means opposite from said outer side panel end portions, said outer blank including a side marginal flap integral with an edge of one of said outer side panels and overlapping and being secured to a margin of an adjacent outer side panel, said inner blank including a side marginal flap integral with a side edge of one of said inner side panels and extending along and being secured to a surface of an adjacent inner side panel inwardly of the outer blank, said outer side marginal flap being interrupted in alignment with said tear strip means, and said tear strip means including a free end tab portion extending over said edge of said one outer side panel and overlapping said one of outer side panels.

3. A carton, as defined in claim 2, wherein said inner blank side panels have first end edges adjacent said end flap means and opposite end edges extending along a line located intermediate opposite ends of said outer side panels, said carton including a second inner blank completely separate from said inner blank and comprising articulated inner side panels disposed along inner surfaces of said outer side panels, a first end edge of said second inner blank being disposed along said line and an opposite end edge of said inner blank being disposed toward an end of said outer side panels opposite from said end flap means, said carton including an additional tear strip means around said outer side panels at a side of said line opposite from said end flap means, and additional adhesive means between said blank at a side of said additional tear strip means opposite from said end flap means.

4. A foldable sheet material blank structure for a carton of the type described comprising a first one-piece outer sheet material blank including a plurality of articulated side panels having a predetermined length and end flaps articulated to and extending from opposite ends of said side panels and adapted to provide opposite end structures, said outer blank including a foldable side marginal flap integrally articulated to one of the side panels and adapted to lbe folded into overlapping relationship with and to be secured to a free margin of another side panel when the blank structure is assembled into said carton, inner sheet material blank means completely separate from said outer blank and including a plurality of articulated inner side panel means corresponding substantially in size and shape to said outer side panels and being disposed against inner surfaces of said outer side panels, said inner side panel means `being disposed substantially entirely between said opposite ends of the outer side panels and being substantially free of any end flap means, said inner blank means including side marginal flap means integrally articulated to an edge of one of the inner side panel means and adapted to be folded along an inner surface of an adjacent inner side panel means when the blank structure is folded into said carton, said outer blank including tear strip means traversing said outer side panels adjacent to and spaced from first ends of said outer side panels, and adhesive means between said outer side panels and said inner side panel means at a side of said tear strip means opposite from said first ends, areas between said tear strip means :and said rst ends being free of said adhesive material, said side marginal flap means of said inner blank means being free of :any adhesive connection with said side marginal flap of said outer blank.

5. A blank structure, as defined in claim 4, wherein said inner blank means includes a plurality of separate inner blanks, a pair of said inner blanks having adjacent end edges extending substantially along a line traversing said outer side panels between opposite ends thereof, said outer blank including second tear strip means traversing said outer side panels at a side of said line opposite from first tear strip means, areas between said second tear strip means and said line being free of said adhesive material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 687,643 11/1901 Meglaughlin et al. 1,767,629 6/ 1930 Walter. 2,094,783 10/ 1937 Belsinger. 2,349,088 5/1944 Guyer 229-51 X 2,490,13 3 12/ 1949 Inman 229-51 2,706,076 4/ 1955 Guyer 229-51 2,896,837 7/ 1959 Risucci 229-51 2,969,902. 1/1961 Cage. 3,137,437 6/1964 Svensson 229-51 FOREIGN PATENTS 162,088 7/ 1905 Germany.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

D. T. MOORHEAD, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CARTON CMPRISING A FIRST OUTER BLANK INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF INTEGRAL ARTICULATED OUTER SIDE PANELS, A MARGINAL FLAP INTEGRALLY JOINED WITH A SIDE EDGE OF ONE OF SAID SIDE PANELS AND OVERLAPPING AND BEING SECURED TO AN OUTER SURFACE OF AN ADJACENT SIDE MARGINAL PORTION OF AN ADJACENT SIDE PANEL, END FLAPS INTEGRALLY ARTICULATED TO END EDGES OF AND RESPECTIVELY EXTENDING FROM EACH OF SAID OUTER SIDE PANELS AND PROVIDING AN END STRUCTURE, AN INNER BLANK COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM SAID OUTER BLANK AND INCLUDING INTEGRAL ARTICULATED SIDE PANELS DISPOSED ALONG INNER SURFACES OF SAID OUTER SIDE PANELS, SAID INNER BLANK INCLUDING A MARGINAL FLAP INTEGRALLY JOINED WITH ONE SIDE EDGE OF ONE OF SAID INNER SIDE PANELS AND BEING DISPOSED IN OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP WITH AN INNER SURFACE OF AN ADJACENT INNER SIDE PANEL, AND MEANS EXTENDING AROUND SAID OUTER SIDE PANELS ADJACENT TO BUT SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY FROM SAID END EDGES AND SAID END FLAPS FOR SEPARATING END PORTIONS OF SAID OUTER SIDE PANELS FROM THE REMAINDER OF SAID OUTER SIDE PANELS, SAID INNER BLANK INCLUDING AN END PORTION EXTENDING WITHIN SAID OUTER PANEL END PORTIONS, SAID OUTER SIDE PANEL END PORTIONS AND SAID END FLAPS PROVIDING A REMOVABLE AND REPLACEABLE END CLOSURE FOR SAID CARTON, SAID MARGINAL FLAP OF SAID OUTER BLANK INCLUDING A PORTION SECURED TO SAID ADJACENT SIDE PANEL BETWEEN SAID END EDGES AND SAID MEANS EXTENDING AROUND THE OUTER SIDE PANELS FOR SEPARATING END PORTIONS THEREFROM. 